Just before 11:30 a.m., a Caltrans employee was on the shoulder, clearing debris from a lane of westbound Interstate 80, just west of Ophir Road, near Auburn, the CHP said.

From inside his cruiser, a highway patrol officer had created a traffic break behind the worker by turning on his red lights and driving slowly to offer protection.

Then, he noticed a red Subaru coming up behind him quickly.

When the officer realized the driver wasn't going to slow down, he sped up and used his own car as a blockade to protect the employee on the side of the road, according to the CHP.

The Subaru driver struck the officer's cruiser at a speed of about 65 mph. The police car was totaled in the crash, sustaining extensive damage to its frame, but the officer suffered just some bumps and bruises.

The Caltrans worker dove out of the way and wasn't hurt, and neither was the Subaru driver. Police said it's not clear if she will be cited for her role in the wreck.